Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes

(2018)

Available Now

Synopsis

This HBO Documentary Films presentation highlights the courage and undeniable charisma of boxing legend Muhammad Ali through the unlikely bond he formed over the years with pioneering television host Dick Cavett. An intuitively genius television personality, Ali appeared more than a dozen times on The Dick Cavett Show, where the duo regularly discussed the news of the day, Ali’s latest bouts, and engaged in playful yet provocative debates about race relations in America. Interweaving priceless archival footage of Ali’s many appearances on the show with insights from a number of authors, sports commentators and members of Ali’s inner circle, Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes tracks the three-time heavyweight boxing champion’s most memorable fights and personal battles to paint an illuminating portrait of a man whose impact on the civil rights movement rivals his feats in the boxing ring. Timely and nostalgic, the 95-minute film ultimately explores how Muhammad Ali leveraged his influence as one of the world’s most high-profile athletes to bring difficult conversations about race, religion and political difference to the mainstream.

Cast

Muhammad Ali, Dick Cavett, Jim Brown, Jimmy Breslin, Woody Allen